Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yadong at a regular press conference in Beijing Photo: Yin Yeping/GT

In response to a media inquiry on Spanish media reports claiming that the EU pork industry may ultimately pay for the bills for problems caused by the EU vehicle industry and that some Spanish pork industry organizations and companies called on the European Commission to achieve win-win results through dialogue with China, Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) spokesperson He Yadong said on Thursday that Chinese investigating authorities conducted the anti-dumping investigation on EU pork products in strict accordance with Chinese laws and WTO rules, fully safeguarding the rights of all parties and ensuring an objective, fair, and impartial preliminary ruling.

During the probe, the Chinese side maintained good communication with relevant EU companies, industry associations, and governments of member countries, including Spain, and listened carefully to the opinions of all parties. We will continue to advance the investigation in accordance with laws and regulations, He said.

The MOFCOM on September 5 announced preliminary ruling on its anti-dumping investigation on certain pork and pig by-products imported from the EU, with the investigation found that the products involve dumping, according to a statement on the ministry's website.

China has decided to implement temporary anti-dumping measures on certain pork and pig by-products imported from the EU in a form of deposits starting from September 10, according to the MOFCOM.

Since 2025, China has not initiated any new investigations against the EU, only issuing final rulings on three cases, He said.

However, during the same period, the EU initiated seven new investigations against China, accounting for 40 percent of the total investigative cases during the period and affecting $3.5 billion worth of Chinese exports. In the meantime, the EU issued preliminary rulings and final rulings on 28 cases, He said.

The EU is currently implementing 95 trade remedy measures against China, involving approximately $39.3 billion in Chinese exports. In particular, in the anti-subsidy case involving electric vehicles, the EU independently initiated an investigation without any request from any domestic industry, He noted. 

"The investigation process and conclusions were illogical and non-compliant, and the trade remedy measures were abused by inferring threats of injury. China has already resorted to the WTO dispute settlement mechanism over the EV case," He said.

Despite the situation, to implement the consensus reached at the China-EU summit, China has consistently maintained the utmost sincerity and conducted over 20 rounds of consultations with the EU, striving to find a mutually acceptable solution. 

"Dialogue and cooperation are what the industry and the people desire. China's stance on openness and cooperation remains unchanged, as do the principles of dialogue and consultation, and we are fully prepared for this. We hope that the EC will earnestly implement the consensus reached at the China-EU summit, address the demands of the industry, work with China in the same direction, address the concerns of both sides through dialogue and consultation, and foster an open and stable market environment for the development of Chinese and European industries," He said.

Global Times